Environmental Deceptions: The Tension Between Liberalism and Environmental Policymaking in the United States (Suny Series in International Environme)

Rating:
Summary: Learn what Cahn means by liberal (hint: John Locke)
Review: Environmental Deceptions by Cahn was used as a book in my Environmental Politics Class at St. Olaf College. Cahn's book filled in many holes that were left in the particularities of environmental legislation. It's interesting level falls somewhere between dull and boring, but it is stocked with information. If you like to read scholarly writing, this is the book for you.... but for me, it wasn't. A better book dealing with this subject is The Politics of the Earth by John S. Dryzek.

Rating:
Summary: Pretty Blah, as environmental books go
Review: Environmental Deceptions by Cahn was used as a book in my Environmental Politics Class at St. Olaf College. Cahn's book filled in many holes that were left in the particularities of environmental legislation. It's interesting level falls somewhere between dull and boring, but it is stocked with information. If you like to read scholarly writing, this is the book for you.... but for me, it wasn't. A better book dealing with this subject is The Politics of the Earth by John S. Dryzek.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Analysis of U.S. Environmental Policies
Review: Matthew Cahn's book _Environmental Deceptions_ offers an excellent overview and comprehensive analysis of U.S. environmental policies. Cahn's central thesis is that U.S. environmental regulatory and energy policies are largely symbolic, and more intended as a means to manage public opinion than an effort to protect the environment. With global warming becoming an ever growing reality, Cahn's position is taking on greater and greater importance. Therefore, for a precise understanding of our present environmental difficulties and the failure of our current environmental policies, _Environmental Deceptions_ is a must read. If you find Cahn's position and findings of interest, I would also recommend _Corporate Power and the Environment_, by George A. Gonzalez.

Rating:
Summary: Learn what Cahn means by liberal (hint: John Locke)
Review: To fully appreciate this groundbreaking book, know that the John Locke definition of liberal is operating here, not the current political definition of liberal, which is left-leaning Democrat.

Then, on to understand that Cahn's premise that the American environment (air, water, space) depends on our re-accepting that the air, water and space we share is just that: shared -- we must relinquish the idea that property rights mean one can do just anything on one's own property, without regard to adjacencies. This is a mind-altering book, basic to the understanding of environmental needs. Because it is not that we need to save a particular snail darter or owl but that if we can't preserve their habitats, we will also not be able to preserve our own.